Direction signal



April 11, 1933. S N W BB 1,903,692

DIRECTION SIGNAL Filed May 3, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 In venior April 11, 1933. s N WEBB 1,903,692

DIRECTION SIGNAL Filed May 3, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor \April 11, 1933. s N WEBB DZRECTION SIGNAL Filed May 3, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 5' Z M Q Q Q 3 Q 2 2? I A tiorney Patented Apr. 11, 1933 UNETED STATES PATENT caries SAMUEL N. WEBB, OF JOHNSTOW'N, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T ROY WITHERS DIRECTION SIGNAL Application filed May 3, 1929.

This invention pertains to improvements broadly in the art of electrical signaling, and more specifically the invention has reference to an improved direction signal especially adapted for use on automobiles.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a. signal for automobiles which can be readily operated to display a signal indicating the direction the driver intends to control the automobile, without the necessity of the driver extending his arm outside of the automobile which is at present customary.

Another object is to provide an electrical direction signal controlled by electromagnetic means which is controlled by selective switch means.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent to the reader after considering the invention as described and claimed hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the improved signal.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the rotatable shell removed from its operable position with in the signal casing.

Figure 3 represents a vertical sectional view through the improved signal.

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the signal construction.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view through the signal taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 3, and looking downwardly in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the connections between the various devices composing the improved signal.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, numeral 1 generally refers to the improved signal which includes a cylindrical casing 2 provided with a removable lens carrying rim 3 at each end thereof. A vizor 4 may be provided on each rim 8. The lens 5 mounted in each rim 3 has all of its area frosted except for a relatively small rectangular space 6 which is plain.

A boX-like jacket 7 is arranged within the casing in substantially the manner shown in Figure 5, opposite sides of the jacket being Serial No. 360,079.

formed with openings in registry wit-l1 the plain portions 6 of the lenses.

Mounted within the jacket 7 for rotation is a cylindrical frame comprising a circular band 9 and a ring 10 connected in spaced relation by the straps 11. Arranged in a cylindrical fashion about the frame and suitably secured thereto are transparent panes 12 on each of which is suitable indicating matter 13. 60

The motor mechanism for operating the signal includes an armature generally referred to by numeral 1 1. This armature includes a disk 15 of insulating material having on its bottom side a suitable magnetically permeable body 16, having arms radiating from a central plate 17. Depending centrally from the disk 15 is a spindle 18 having a pointed lower extremity for disposition within the recessed bearing block 19. A stabilizing collar 20 is secured to the spindle 18 beneath the bottom of the jacket 17 and for bearing relation therewith. 1 1

A block 21 is supported upon the bottom wall of the jacket 7, and upon this block is mounted a platform 22 for supporting a plurality of annularly arranged electro-magnets 23, the magnets being arranged in diametrical pairs 24-24, 25:25, 2626 and 27-27 respectively. The magnets are disposed with their cores in magnetic influential relation to the magnetic body 16 on the armature 14, so that when they are successively energized, the magnetic body and hence the armature is rotated on its axis.

An inverted conical shaped reflector 28 is mounted at the upper interior of the casing and contains a socket for receiving a bulb 29 for illuminating the interior of the panel surrounded frame aforementioned.

Each of the switches 30, 30a and 30?) controls two pairs of the coils. They are to be rotated clockwise. Switch 30 operates to control the device as follows :-When it swings from neutral to contact the switch point 31 the pair of magnets marked L or 25 are energized by the battery and swing the armature around so that the left signals are positioned. Still maintaining the contact with point 31 the switch 30 swings fur- 100 ther to contact the point 32 and light the lamp 29 while maintaining the contact with point 31, and swinging further it loses contact with point 31 and maintains contact with point 32, thus continuing the illumination of the lamp 529. Swinging further the switch simultaneously contacts the points 32 and 33, thus simultaneously energizing G magnets for positioning the go signals and illumi nating the go signal. From this position the switch swings again into neutral position, leaving the go signal positioned, but not illuminated. Substitute the designations right and stop respectively, for the left and go signals just described, and the operation of the two remaining switches 30a and 30b is the same as for the switch 30.

It will thus be seen that the signal is exceedingly practical for giving specific directions to not only rearwardly approaching vehicles, but to vehicles approaching from the front and to pedestrians as well.

Certain changes in the specific shape, size and materials may be made in the construction of this novel device withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is A signal of the class described comprising a horizontal casing having windows in its front and rear ends, a rectangular shell in the casing, having two opposing sides contacting the walls of said casing, and said sides of the shell having openings therein registering with the windows, the bottom of the shell being spaced from the casing and having a hole therein, a cylinder in the shell and comprising a base portion, a centrally arranged pivot member carried by the base portion and extending through the hole in the bottom of the shell and rotatably supported on the bottom part of the casing, spaced uprights having their lower ends attached to the base portion, a ring connected to the upper ends of said uprights, and transparent panes connected at their ends to the ring and base and forming a cylindrical part, said panes having indicating data thereon for appearing at the windows when the cylinder formed of the panes and their supporting means is rotated, electric means for rotating the cylinder located in the lower part of the shell and a lamp supported from the top of the casing and extending into the top portion of the cylinder, the panes which are diametrically opposite each other carrying similar data.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

SAMUEL N. WEBB. 

